Sunset Boulevard

Simply put, Sunset Boulevard is a masterpiece.  A story about a burnt out star that still wants every telescope pointing directly at her marvels.  Good God Gloria Swanson is truly incredible from her entry to when the scene blurs over her desperate and cold stare before the credits roll.  Gloria Swanson portrays so much as Norma Desmond. A haunting and nearly psychotic performance, and one of my all time performances by an actress. To me Sunset Boulevard is an exemplary film when compared to films made about Hollywood as an industry. There’s SO much right about this film with basically nothing to say wrong about it. Which is a bit of a surprise to be honest.  I was lucky enough to catch Sunset Boulevard on the big screen for Regals month of masterpieces.  Sunset Boulevard is my first Billy Wilder project, and it’s very clear from just this film why he is considered one of the greats of directing and screenwriting.  To me this is a faultless script, and one that really finds its light through inner monologue, which is coming from a dead protagonist whom is face first in a pool.  From start to finish Sunset Boulevard leaves an impression, and 75 years later still says so much about Hollywood and what short lived stardom can do to damage the human mind.  One of the greatest endings in film history  A realistic and marvelous film. One that should be watched by anyone and everyone.